# Saute Pan vs. Frying Pan: What’s the Difference? - Made In Sauté pans and frying pans play similar, but not quite identical, roles in the kitchen. Here’s how these two staple cookware items differ from one another. Frying pans and sauté pans may not seem like it at first glance, but they _are_ actually distinct from one another—and today, we’re going to explain the difference. By understanding the unique properties—namely size, shape, and volume—of each of these pans, you’ll be able to use both more effectively, and maybe even improve your cooking game along the way. ```json { "_key": "c373339bb78b", "_type": "tableOfContents" } ``` ## Understanding the Basics ```json { "_key": "9c710b2ff36e", "_type": "medium", "ctas": null, "description": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": "A person in an apron reaches for the lid of a stainless steel pan on a wooden countertop, with kitchen utensils in the background.", "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.8, "height": 1000, "width": 1800 }, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/8aaac3ae0d0754b7d0e7c5d13e7903c9bc8c74cf-1800x1000.jpg" } }, "tags": null, "type": "image", "video": null } ``` In order to understand the difference between a frying pan and a sauté pan, you first need to understand the function of each pan. ### What Is a Sauté Pan? ```json { "_key": "71c2c26d94e3", "_type": "variant", "data": { "_id": "variant-44266996042", "badges": [], "collegiateAsset": null, "computed": { "discount": 0, "isAvailable": true, "isPrimary": true, "offset": 0, "price": 199, "status": "forSale" }, "handle": { "current": "3-5-quart" }, "imageBadges": null, "media": [ { "_key": "daf59ea6ba24", "description": null, "hotspots": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": "A pot of shakshuka featuring poached eggs in a rich tomato sauce, garnished with fresh herbs, sits on a stovetop beside a spoon.", "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1, "height": 1500, "width": 1500 }, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/bf67f08b73d6705bf8805b112cebc29ae6219156-1500x1500.jpg" } }, "tags": [ "gallery", "secondary" ], "type": "image", "video": null } ], "meta": { "hasCollegiate": false, "hasTrial": false, "hasWaitList": false, "isCollegiate": false, "isDiscountEligible": true, "isFinalSale": false, "isOnSale": true, "isSet": false, "promoDates": null, "promoPrice": null }, "product": { "ranking": 18, "rating": { "rating": 4.91, "rating_count": 2683 }, "shopify": { "handle": "stainless-steel-saute-pan", "id": 11080124298, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/Web_Stainless_SautePan_3.5qt-wLid_1x1_Hero.jpg?v=1762197921", "width": 1500 }, "title": "Stainless Clad Saute Pan" } }, "shopify": { "handle": null, "id": 44266996042, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/Web_Stainless_SautePan_3.5qt-wLid_1x1_Hero.jpg?v=1762197921", "width": 1500 }, "title": "3.5 QT / Stainless" }, "taxonomies": [ { "handle": { "current": "3-5-quart" }, "title": "3.5 QT", "type": "size" }, { "handle": { "current": "induction-compatible" }, "title": "Induction Compatible", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "oven-safe" }, "title": "Oven Safe", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "dishwasher-safe" }, "title": "Dishwasher Safe", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "pfas-free" }, "title": "Free of PFAS", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "stay-cool-handle" }, "title": "Stay Cool Handles", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "third-party-tested" }, "title": "Third-Party Tested", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "italy" }, "title": "Italy", "type": "country_of_origin" }, { "handle": { "current": "stainless-clad" }, "title": "Stainless Clad", "type": "material" }, { "handle": { "current": "cookware" }, "title": "Cookware", "type": "product_category" }, { "handle": { "current": "frying-pans" }, "title": "Frying Pans", "type": "product_type" }, { "handle": { "current": "saute-pan" }, "title": "Saute Pans", "type": "product_type" } ], "title": "3.5 QT" } } ``` Sauté pans have a wide, flat bottom and straight, relatively tall sides, a bit like a large, squat saucepan. Those tall sides serve a dual purpose: first, they help contain the food or liquid inside to avoid splashing; second, they make for a slightly larger cooking surface area than the sloped sides of a frying pan. This makes sauté pans a solid pick for simmering and [braising](/blogs/how-to-braise-meat), and since they’re typically made of stainless steel, they’re also great for searing meat before adding your braising liquid. **Pros and Cons of Sauté Pans** One of the best things about a sauté pan is its high, straight walls, which allow you to add more food or liquid to the pan than with a similarly-sized frying pan. On the flip side (no pun intended), a sauté pan’s wider base makes it quite a bit heavier than a frying pan: while our [Stainless Clad Sauté Pan](/products/stainless-steel-saute-pan/3-5-quart) has the exact same diameter as our 10” [Stainless Clad Frying Pan](/products/stainless-steel-frying-pan/10-inch), it weighs a full 25% more. This added weight can be cumbersome when you need to flip or toss your food. ```json { "_key": "4d16b12ad615", "_type": "cta", "title": "Shop Saute Pans", "url": "/collections/frying-pans?filters=saute-pan" } ``` ### What Is a Frying Pan? ```json { "_key": "5be454b71123", "_type": "variant", "data": { "_id": "variant-44266864202", "badges": [ { "_key": "Best Seller", "logoAsset": null, "title": "Best Seller" } ], "collegiateAsset": null, "computed": { "discount": 0, "isAvailable": true, "isPrimary": false, "offset": 0, "price": 149, "status": "forSale" }, "handle": { "current": "12-inch" }, "imageBadges": null, "media": [ { "_key": "b02335ec2a0a", "description": null, "hotspots": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": "stainless frying pan 12 inch lifestyle", "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1, "height": 1440, "width": 1440 }, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/3e7821f8d88b33153c0a6f19728db35e09d95763-1440x1440.jpg" } }, "tags": [ "secondary", "gallery" ], "type": "image", "video": null } ], "meta": { "hasCollegiate": false, "hasTrial": false, "hasWaitList": false, "isCollegiate": false, "isDiscountEligible": true, "isFinalSale": false, "isOnSale": true, "isSet": false, "promoDates": null, "promoPrice": null }, "product": { "ranking": 12, "rating": { "rating": 4.9, "rating_count": 7983 }, "shopify": { "handle": "stainless-steel-frying-pan", "id": 11080104522, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/Web_Stainless_FryingPan_12in_1x1_Hero.jpg?v=1762197921", "width": 1500 }, "title": "Stainless Clad Frying Pan" } }, "shopify": { "handle": null, "id": 44266864202, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/Web_Stainless_FryingPan_12in_1x1_Hero.jpg?v=1762197921", "width": 1500 }, "title": "12\" / Stainless / Standard" }, "taxonomies": [ { "handle": { "current": "12-inch" }, "title": "12\"", "type": "size" }, { "handle": { "current": "induction-compatible" }, "title": "Induction Compatible", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "oven-safe" }, "title": "Oven Safe", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "dishwasher-safe" }, "title": "Dishwasher Safe", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "pfas-free" }, "title": "Free of PFAS", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "personalized" }, "title": "Personalized", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "stay-cool-handle" }, "title": "Stay Cool Handles", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "third-party-tested" }, "title": "Third-Party Tested", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "united-states" }, "title": "United States", "type": "country_of_origin" }, { "handle": { "current": "italy" }, "title": "Italy", "type": "country_of_origin" }, { "handle": { "current": "frying-pans" }, "title": "Frying Pans", "type": "product_type" }, { "handle": { "current": "stainless-clad" }, "title": "Stainless Clad", "type": "material" }, { "handle": { "current": "cookware" }, "title": "Cookware", "type": "product_category" }, { "handle": { "current": "best-sellers" }, "title": "Best Sellers", "type": "merchandising" } ], "title": "12\"" } } ``` Look at a cross section of a [frying pan](/blogs/what-is-a-frying-pan), and you’ll notice that the edges flare outward slightly, a bit like a tulip. This shape makes it so that when you go to toss a pan of, say, fried rice, the bits of food can travel seamlessly up the sides and back into the pan, allowing you to stir, toss, and flip with relatively little effort. Frying pans also conveniently come in pretty every material you can think of, from non stick to carbon steel to ceramic. **Pros and Cons of Frying Pans** While a frying pan excels at quick preparations like stir-frying, pan-frying, and sautéing, it does a slightly less stellar job with liquid-heavy recipes like braises. That’s because it has a slightly lower capacity than a sauté pan, making it more prone to spills, drips, and splatters. ```json { "_key": "6803766d37b8", "_type": "cta", "title": "Shop Frying Pans", "url": "/collections/frying-pans?filters=frying-pans" } ``` ### Difference in Cooking Techniques To sauté a dish, you essentially need two things: a relatively wide surface area and slightly flared walls. This means that, counterintuitively, a frying pan will typically work better for sautéing than an actual sauté pan. However, a sauté pan _is _the best choice for simmering, frying, and other liquidy preparations—all of which we’d caution against trying to do in a frying pan. While a [pan sauce](/blogs/pan-sauce) or reduction is probably fine, we wouldn’t recommend trying to make an entire curry or batch of marinara sauce in a frying pan (unless you like to live life on the edge—in which case, we probably can’t stop you). ### Versatility and Specificity In many cases, a frying pan or sauté pan can be used interchangeably: for example, either pan will produce an equally good sear on a steak or piece of fish (as long as they’ve got roughly the same amount of cooking surface). If you’re making a pan sauce, however, the frying pan’s rounded corners will allow for easier whisking and won’t trap bits of flour or butter. A frying pan is also better than a sauté pan for quick, high heat recipes that require a lot of tossing, like a stir-fry. ## How to Choose the Right Pan for Your Needs ```json { "_key": "da4da8f266f6", "_type": "medium", "ctas": null, "description": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": "assorted stainless steel cookware stacked", "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.955193482688391, "height": 491, "width": 960 }, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/4472e7cf17dfdc271532f8eeb1b9404b50a2a0c0-960x491.jpg" } }, "tags": null, "type": "image", "video": null } ``` While a frying pan is probably the most versatile pan you can buy, it still depends on what you tend to cook on a daily basis. ### Assess Your Cooking Style Let’s say you’re strictly a scrambled-eggs-and-grilled-cheese type of cook: a small frying pan will do a fine job, and won’t take up a ton of space in your cupboard or pot rack. If, on the other hand, you do a lot of braising or shallow-frying, you might want to pick up a sauté pan instead (though honestly, we recommend getting both if you can). ### Kitchen Space and Storage Capabilities Because sauté pans tend to be on the larger side compared to most frying pans, they tend to weigh a bit more and take up more storage space. The difference might be minimal if you have a larger kitchen or ample cabinet space, but it may not be worth it for tiny apartment kitchens—especially if you don’t see yourself using it all that often. ## Ready to Shop? ```json { "_key": "f2482be89761", "_type": "variant", "data": { "_id": "variant-32696833933391", "badges": [ { "_key": "Best Seller", "logoAsset": null, "title": "Best Seller" } ], "collegiateAsset": null, "computed": { "compare_at_price": 726, "discount": 17, "isAvailable": false, "isPrimary": true, "offset": 127, "price": 599, "status": "outOfStock" }, "handle": { "current": "graphite-7-piece-set" }, "imageBadges": null, "media": [ { "_key": "1eceba3a7b28", "description": null, "hotspots": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": "An assortment of cooking pots and pans on a kitchen counter with a dish of food presented in the foreground.", "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1, "height": 1440, "width": 1440 }, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/9b7a7e1663584a62b6f6957816c799e7b33971f8-1440x1440.jpg" } }, "tags": [ "gallery", "secondary" ], "type": "image", "video": null } ], "meta": { "hasCollegiate": null, "hasTrial": null, "hasWaitList": false, "isCollegiate": null, "isDiscountEligible": false, "isFinalSale": false, "isOnSale": true, "isSet": true, "promoDates": null, "promoPrice": null }, "product": { "ranking": 2, "rating": { "rating": 4.94, "rating_count": 437 }, "shopify": { "handle": "non-stick-set", "id": 4822975414351, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/Web_NonStickSet_7p_Graphite_1x1_Hero.jpg?v=1745422166", "width": 1500 }, "title": "ProCoat Non Stick Set" } }, "shopify": { "handle": null, "id": 32696833933391, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/Web_NonStickSet_7p_Graphite_1x1_Hero.jpg?v=1745422166", "width": 1500 }, "title": "7-Piece Set / Graphite" }, "taxonomies": [ { "handle": { "current": "sets" }, "title": "Sets", "type": "product_category" }, { "handle": { "current": "cookware" }, "title": "Cookware", "type": "product_category" }, { "handle": { "current": "non-stick" }, "title": "Non Stick", "type": "material" }, { "handle": { "current": "stock-pots" }, "title": "Stock Pots", "type": "product_type" }, { "handle": { "current": "saute-pan" }, "title": "Saute Pans", "type": "product_type" }, { "handle": { "current": "saucepan" }, "title": "Saucepans", "type": "product_type" }, { "handle": { "current": "frying-pans" }, "title": "Frying Pans", "type": "product_type" }, { "handle": { "current": "induction-compatible" }, "title": "Induction Compatible", "type": "features" } ], "title": "7-Piece Set · Graphite" } } ``` These two staple pieces of cookware both play vital—though not identical—roles in your kitchen. Since our Sauté and Frying Pans are both made using our 5-Ply Stainless Clad base for a powerful sear and stellar heat distribution, you can’t really go wrong with either one. ```json { "_key": "e4add1dafc12", "_type": "cta", "title": "Shop Frying and Saute Pans", "url": "/collections/frying-pans" } ``` --- URL: https://madeincookware.com/blogs/saute-pan-vs-frying-pan